Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

ILLINOIS STATE CENSORSHIP BILL BEATEN IN THE SENATE Amendments Asking Continuance of Chicago Board Under Funkhouser and Giving Villages Power to Act, Bring Death Stroke; Checks Issue for Two Years The state-wide censorship bill, which would have been a mill-stone around the film industry's neck in the State of Illinois, died a quick death in the Illinois Senate, at Springfield, June 17. The measure, after being reported favorably from the Senate judiciary committee, was later amended in such a manner that it was doomed before it came out of conference. According to the original bill, the passage of the measure would have eliminated all censorship boards now extant and placed absolute authority in the hands of a board. Amendments Death Blows However, an amendment which specified that the present Chicago censor board, headed by Second Deputy of Police Funkhouser, should remain untouched and another providing that any city, village or town with a censorship board created by ordinance or that might hereafter be created, should remain exempt from the state law, proved too much for the bill to stand, in spite of the efforts of a strong lobby. The administration of the death blow to the censorship bill was the last official act of the Illinois general assembly, which did not adjourn until 7:35 a. m., June 17. Unexpectedly the bill had been sent to conference at 3:30 Sunday morning, further tying up both the House and Senate, which were waiting for the return of the conference reports on several other matters. Women Fight for Passage The measure, introduced by Representative Guy Guernsey of Chicago, provided for the creation of a state censorship board for motion pictures, which would have had a far-reaching effect. The various women's clubs of Chicago fought hard for the passage of the bill and Representatives were daily annoyed by women around the capital, lobbying for the measure. The women's clubs made a statewide campaign urging censorship, as the rigorous, high-handed censorship of the Chicago board under Major Funkhouser, they claimed did not seem sufficient in their eyes to protect the adolescent youth of the state. Hence the bill was framed at the instigation of the women and a certain clique of politicians and selftermed reformers attempted to secure its passage in every way possible. Dead for Two Years There was considerable rejoicing over the defeat of the measure among producers and exhibitors. The question of censorship now is settled for at least two years, in Illinois. The defeat of the measure would have placed a big, new burden on the industry, which would have been felt in every branch, it is pointed out. When the state-wide measure was primarily brought to Chicago for the consideration of the trade, it was fought vigorously. At the time it was called a loophole for drastic censorship, and the prediction that it was Has National Prominence In the various fights before Congress, Mr. Varner has gained national prominence, being active in defeating the one per cent tax a year on films, a year ago, and recently in obtaining the exemption of popular priced motion picture theaters from the war tax measure. He pointed out to the Senate Finance Committee that motion pictures were an educational factor and as such were entitled to recognition, and further demonstrated that the film producers were not fighting the war tax in order to evade supporting the measure, but only to save the industry from ruin. Now Is League Secretary He was assisted in his fight before the Senate Finance Committee by Percy W. Wells and A. F. Sams, who are at the head of the North Carolina League, as president and attorney. Mr. Varner is the secretary. The North Carolina League passed a resolution to have every exhibitor contribute one day's receipts each month during the continuation of the war to the National Red Cross in appreciation of the recognition given the industry by abolishing the war tax on theaters. merely a mask, it is declared, was obvious when the amendments were made asking the continuance of the Chicago Censor Board, and permitting villages to exercise full police power in this respect. Had the bill passed the Senate with the damaging amendments, producers or lessors of film would have had to pay, not only a high state fee for having films censored, but would be forced to pay higher censor fees to local boards in villages and towns throughout the state. BIG CONVENTION PROGRAM PLANNED FOR PHILADELPHIA C. H. Goodwin Completing Arrangements for Pennsylvania Affair C. H. Goodwin, state secretary of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of Pennsylvania, is completing arrangements for the coming convention to be held in Philadelphia June 25 to 27. The program for the convention, which will be held in the Parkway Auditorium, Broad and Cherry streets, includes an address of welcome by the mayor of Philadelphia, introduction of screen stars and dancing the first day; a trip around the city, grand banquet and prize dancing contest on Tuesday, and Wednesday will be an open session for exhibitors and election of delegates to the Chicago convention. Flowers, patriotic emblems and souvenirs will be distributed to visitors at booths and there will be daily recitals by famous musicians. H. B. VARNER OF NORTH CAROLINA LEAGUE TO OPPOSE OCHS FOR M. P. E. L. PRESIDENCY Four Southern States Agree to Back Candidate, Who Has Gained National Prominence in Washington Fighting Tax Measures, at Chicago Convention WRIGHTS VILLE BEACH, N. C— (Special to the "Exhibitors Herald")— At the conclusion of a three-day session of the North Carolina Motion Picture Exhibitors' League here it was unanimously agreed to present the name of Henry B. Varner of Lexington, N. C, to the National Convention in Chicago as a candidate for the presidency of the M. P. E. L. to succeed Lee Ochs. Mr. Varner is backed by a strong delegation from Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina and, it is said, has been assured the support of at least six other states. He already has received hundreds of letters from Maine to California urging him to run for the office of president of the league.